Kim Clijsters named Honorary President of International Tennis Hall of Fame

WATCH: Clijsters made her official retirement from tennis this spring after returning to action in 2020.

The International Tennis Hall of Fame announced on Thursday that former world No. 1 Kim Clijsters will succeed Stan Smith as its Honorary President.

“I am thrilled and humbled by this new opportunity to serve the sport. The International Tennis Hall of Fame does important, inspiring work through preservation efforts, impactful content, and celebrations,” said Clijsters, who won six total Grand Slam titles—four in singles and two in doubles. “I am always eager to find a new way to be actively involved in tennis. I look forward to helping the organization continue to grow and thrive, and to connecting tennis fans around the world with our sport’s incredible history.”

According to a press release provided by the International Tennis Hall of Fame, “Clijsters will represent the organization in an ambassadorial role publicly and will also collaborate with ITHF staff and tennis industry partners on initiatives that support the ITHF’s mission of preserving and celebrating tennis history. This will include a focus on connecting current players with tennis history and with the ITHF.

“Additionally, Clijsters will work in close partnership with Hall of Famer Gigi Fernandez, who has recently been named Hall of Famer Vice Chair as a member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame Board of Governors. Together, Clijsters and Fernandez will put a special emphasis on fostering community among the Hall of Famers.”

Clijsters is not only the first woman, but also the first woman to serve in the role. She was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2017, having retired from the sport for a second time in 2012. She returned to action in early 2020 and made a final retirement announcement earlier this season.

“Across all generations and sectors of our sport, you will not find an individual as well-respected, admired, and who resonates the way Kim Clijsters does,” said ITHF CEO Todd Martin. “Kim’s love for tennis and her enthusiasm for giving back to the sport are infectious.

“Similar to her predecessors, Stan Smith, and Tony Trabert before him, Kim operates with great integrity and represents our sport elegantly. She is a bona fide role model and the ideal ambassador for the International Tennis Hall of Fame.”

Clijsters is at this year’s US Open serving as a broadcaster for Eurosport, and was also on hand for a Legends exhibition that took place on Louis Armstrong Stadium on Tuesday alongside Andy Roddick, James Blake, and Bethanie Mattek-Sands.